I say an hour lost at a bottleneck is an hour out of the entire system. I say an hour saved at a non-bottleneck is worthless. Bottlenecks govern both throughput and inventory.
Eliyahu M. GoldrattRead
Why not make the work easier and more interesting so that people do not have to sweat? The Toyota style is not to create results by working hard. It is a system that says there is no limit to people’s creativity. People don’t go to Toyota to ‘work’ they go there to ‘think’
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of improving work processes to enhance creativity and enjoyment rather than just exerting effort.
Eliyahu M. Goldratt's quote highlights the philosophy behind the Toyota Production System, which focuses on making work easier and more engaging, thus allowing individuals to utilize their creativity effectively. By fostering an environment where people are encouraged to think and innovate rather than just work hard, organizations can unlock the potential of their employees and achieve greater success.
Themes
CreativityInnovationWorkToyotaProductivity
In practice
Example use cases
In a business meeting focused on improving workflows, this quote can inspire team members to think creatively about their tasks.
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